GARDEN TIPS

PLANTING ROSES

When planting, I put superphosphate and composted cow manure into the planting hole, but I do not add any other fertilizer until the plant begins to leaf out. Remember that in the north we plant the bud union (where the grafted plant meets the root stock) one to three inches below the soil level. This is important to protect the rose from winter damage. In the spring, I top dress my rose bushes with composed cow manure or dehydrated chicken manure. I used to make manure tea, but it’s easier and less messy to just top dress with the manure right away! I also use Epsom Salt for added magnesium which is said to help the rose start new canes. Add 1/3 to ½ a cup in the early spring. To prevent the spread of blackspot, it’s important to clean up and dispose of any fallen leaves right away.​

CONTROLLING SLUGS AND SNAILS

A mixture of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) and Diatomaceous Earth spread in a ring around plants like Hosta that are slug magnets will discourage snails and slugs.The Epsom salts dehydrates the slug and the Diatomaceous Earth irritates its skin.

This next tip was reported in the AHS Hosta Magazine March 2019. The article recommends pouring a half bucket of diluted ammonia and water solution directly on the crown of each hosta as the pips emerge, drenching the soil all around the plant.

The household ammonia (1% to 3% ammonia) was diluted to a 10% solution. To make the 10% solution, one part of household ammonia is mixed with 9 parts water.

The writer saw no slugs on the treated hostas, and there are no marks of any kind on tender new leaves. In addition the ammonia adds nitrogen to the soil!

PONDS

One of the most important rules to remember to keep the water in a pond clear is to keep 2/3 of the water surface covered with plant material. Doing this will significantly cut down on algae production.A quick way to add inexpensive plants is to sink a bouquet of cut stems in the water garden. I wrap a rubber band around a bunch of Houttiana cordata, Chameleon Vine, or any other water tolerant plant, and tie it to a cinder block, keeping about half of the stems submerged.

PLANTING BULBS

When I was digging and planting a new garden, I knew that come fall I’d be planting all kinds of bulbs between my perennials.While the perennials were small, I dug the future planting holes for my bulbs.As I dug I filled a gallon or larger nursery pot with the soil from the hole.When the pot was full, I dropped the container into the hole to hold a space for my bulbs.Then, I covered the sunken pot of soil with mulch.Come fall, I lifted the pot, placed the bulbs in the bottom of the hole, and dumped the soil back into the hole!What could be easier!​

Notice how the name above the soil is fading. I probably used a permanent marker.

GARDEN MARKERS

I use metal garden tags for my perennials, bulbs and shrubs. I have purchased them from different sources. I especially like markers with stainless steel stakes. I use Brother P-Touch TZ tape for printing the labels. I always place the marker to the front and right of the plant.

I also place a white plastic tag in the soil with the name of the plant written twice- once above the soil line and another time to be buried. I use a pencil, paint pen or grease pencil for writing on the names. Permanent markers haven't proven to be weatherproof.

GARDEN RECORDS

I have a few different ways of keeping garden records.One of the best things that I’ve done is to use a notebook to record all plant purchases in a given year.​Also, I have Excel spread sheets on garden collections such as my daylilies and hostas.There I list information about the cultivar as well as its location in the garden and bloom date.I am slowing making digital photographic records and spread sheets on all my garden beds. For some beds, I have made a garden plan on graft paper.I mapped the placement of bulbs and other perennials that have been planted as well.Also, I save all original plant labels from the nursery, in a Ziploc plastic bag that is labeled with the flower bed’s name.For instance, when I plant something new in the “Entrance Garden”, I make a garden label and store the original label from the container in the plastic bag. If I move a plant in the garden, I move the label to the appropriate bag.

SOIL AMMENDMENTS

I live on the beach, so I amend the sandy soil with compost and manure everywhere I plant. I used to spread dehydrated cow manure on the garden, but it nearly blew away before I got it mixed into the ground. Then I tried composted cow manure, but the wet bags weighed too much for me to work with easily. Now I use pelleted chicken manure, garden manure or Milorganite. It's easy to broadcast around established perennials or toss in the hole when preparing to plant.

MORE AMMENDMENTS

Alfalfa pellets, usually sold as animal feed for horses or rabbits, are excellent for helping to boost plant growth. The pellets contain Triacontanol which is ​a powerful growth stimulant. You can mix the pellets into the planting hole, apply them on the soil surface and water them in, or make a "tea" to use when watering your plants. You can buy alfalfa pellets at stores like Agway.

My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I madewhile learning to see things from the plant’s point of view.~H. Fred Dale